No, Gel Polish Isn’t Banned - But This Ingredient Is
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some products were sent as samples, but all opinions are my own.
What the ban means for you ~
Starting September 1st, the European Union is restricting the use of the chemical TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) in cosmetic products under its REACH regulations.
The new EU restriction prohibits the use of TPO in cosmetic products like gel polish due to concerns about reproductive toxicity, meaning gel polishes containing TPO cannot be sold or used within the EU market after the deadline.
Contrary to what you may see in headlines, it is not banning all gel polish.
Chemical restrictions in nail polish and other beauty products have happened before. Most of the time, companies anticipate them and begin switching out that chemical with alternatives.
This is exactly what is happening now.
TPO has been used in nail products for over 40 years because it’s a photo initiator that cures gels effectively under LED and UV lights, prevents yellowing of nail products and is cost-effective for manufacturers.
In fact, a study in 2014 concluded that up to 5% concentration was fine for professional use and most gels contain way less than that.
But today, this new law means that in the EU you can’t:
Sell products containing this ingredient
Feature products containing this ingredient in giveaways or prizes
Perform services with products using this ingredient.
If you have inventory containing this ingredient and serve an EU audience, you must now stop selling or applying these products.
The reason for the ban is that in studies where rats were given very high doses of TPO, they experienced adverse fertility effects like infertility, testicular shrinkage and irregular reproductive cycles in some females.
Don’t panic - it’s nails and we’re supposed to be having fun.
Let’s dive into the context of these studies.
It's important to note that the high doses given in this study (and in many other chemical studies) are not the typical exposure you would experience doing your nails.
For example, the German study cited in the new regulations, concluded that TPO could cause reproductive toxicity. It exposed rats to a very high concentration of the chemical - 600 mg/kg of body weight daily for 10 days through oral doses (ingestion).
This is absolutely not a normal manicure dosage - you’re not ingesting gel polish, you’re not getting it on your skin either.
Nails are way less permeable than skin and you’re not ingesting the ingredients.
Just to illustrate the outrageous dosage given to these rats, let’s consider Dura Gel, which is a hard gel. Their bottles contain 0.07g of TPO. This is a typical low concentration found in gel polish.
Nail Order Pro’s calculations make it easy for us to understand:
“If you took a rat of 200g this would equate to 0.12g of TPO being ingested every day for 10 days. To compare this to nail products, an entire 25g jar of Dura Gel contains 0.07g of TPO.
For a human to be exposed to the same level of toxicity, a 60kg person would need to ingest 36,000mg (36g) everyday for 10 days, this would be the equivalent of 514 jars of Dura gel eaten every day for 10 days.”
That's right - to be exposed to the same level that is toxic to those poor rats, you must eat 514 jars of Dura Gel every day for 10 days.
You would need to eat 40.8g a day for a 150lb person - more than an entire jar of gel polish, if that bottle consisted entirely of TPO and nothing else.
Are you ingesting 514 bottles of gel polish every day?
I didn’t think so.
This behavior is obviously toxic and no one is doing this. Not only would it be expensive but it’s also extremely abnormal - after all, gel nail polish isn’t thought to have any nutritional value.
So even if you have gel polishes containing TPO, unless you are eating them every day for every meal, consistently, for more than a week straight, your exposure levels are most likely well below the toxic levels.
Based on my own experience as a research person in chemical laboratories, it is common for studies to feature very high concentrations of the chemical in order to demonstrate publishable results - not because that’s the normal dose you or I might encounter.
Why would a researcher feed rats outrageous levels of TPO?
My understanding of the academic game is you do it so you can produce statistically significant results that’ll produce a paper.
That said, what’s done is done.
It’s prohibited for gel polishes in Europe now and we are following their guidelines moving forward.
Here’s how you can spot TPO on labels:
Diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide
(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide
2,4,6-Trimethyl benzoyldiphenyl phosphine oxide
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide
Trimethylbenzoyl Phosphine Oxide
TPO
Thankfully, many brands anticipated this and have started switching to alternative photo initiators that comply with the new EU regulations.
A few EU legally compliant alternatives you may have already seen:
TPO-L – Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate
TMO (TPO-R) – Trimethylbenzoyl Ditolylphosphine Oxide / Di-p-tolyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) Phosphine Oxide
BAPO – Bis-Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphine Oxide
Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone
Phenyl bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phosphine oxide
Hydroxy-2-Methylphenylpropanone
Benzophenone-1
Of all these, TPO-L (Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate) is the most common less hazardous alternative that’s gaining popularity due to better safety profiles.
The ban doesn’t apply to all applications of TPO.
It’s still permitted for use in:
Printing inks
Industrial coatings & adhesives
Electronics/PCB production
3D printing resins
Dental materials inside your mouth
All in all, chemical restrictions in beauty have happened before and they will happen again.
Gel polish is still allowed and because your exposure levels are likely extremely low, you most likely have nothing to worry about.
Once gel polish cures under UV or LED light, the TPO molecules react and become part of a stable polymer network, making them chemically bound and unlikely to be absorbed through the skin or cause harm.
Considering how little product, often less than 1g per application, you are using and that once it’s cured, it’s not bioactive, your exposure and actual bioabsorption may even be negligible.
Unless you’re eating your gel polishes.
If your diet goal is to eat over 5,140 gel polish bottles in the next 10 days - then I’d say it’s time to consider a new nutritional plan.
Action Steps
Check your gel polishes for this ingredient. You’ll probably see that in most cases, new photo initiators are already in place.
If you do have gels that contain this ingredient and you’re in the EU, have EU clientele or simply want to be extra cautious, begin phasing them out now.
Look at it positively - you now have a perfectly valid reason to buy new inventory.
What new and exciting gel polishes will take the place of the old ones?
Looking for new TPO Free gel bottles to restock your lineup with?
These gel polishes are TPO Free and HEMA Free:
I shared the new OPI Intelli-Gel with you earlier this year.
Released in September 2024, look for the newer bottles that say “Intelli-Gel Technology” around the bottle’s neck and use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF.
Recently released in August 2025, this new line of gel colors was also reformulated to be TPO-Free - use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF.
A fan favorite and TPO free since 2019.
One of our reader’s favorite lines. Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF.
Looking Ahead To The Future of Gel Polish
The EU’s restriction on TPO is pushing the nail industry toward safer, more innovative photo initiators, which offer effective curing with improved safety profiles.
Many brands have already or are currently reformulating, ensuring gel polishes remain vibrant, durable and accessible to beauty lovers across the globe.
So while change can feel disruptive, it’s also a step toward healthier formulations without sacrificing the fun and artistry of gel nails.
Let’s keep an eye out for new launches and enjoy experimenting with the next generation of gel polish formulas!
For more content like this, follow Lots of Lacquer on Instagram ~
Other Articles You May Enjoy:
As a Beyond Polish Brand Ambassador, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF at Beyond Polish! As a Manucurist and Aimeili Affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.
